Dubai South
Dubai SouthIndependent area guide
A large government-planned city wrapped around Al Maktoum International Airport, split into residential, logistics, aviation and business districts. Most homes sit in the Residential District, where mid-rise blocks, townhouse clusters and new lagoon villa projects share space with ongoing construction. It is one of Dubai's cheaper places to buy or rent, but it is a long drive from the coast.
- Studio rent
- AED 43,000per year
- 1-bed rent
- AED 61,000per year
- 2-bed rent
- AED 83,000per year
- 3-bed villa rent
- AED 153,000per year
- Apartment price
- AED 1,190per sq ft
- Villa price
- AED 1,368per sq ft
Averages published by Bayut, September 2026. How they are measured.
Living in Dubai South
Why people choose it
- Entry prices sit in Bayut's affordable segment for both flats and villas
- Short commute for jobs at the airport, logistics hubs and Jebel Ali
- Wide choice, from furnished studios to new lagoon-side villas
Worth knowing
- No metro inside the Residential District; a car or bus is needed
- Years of construction ahead around new phases and the airport expansion
- Character
- Airport-city suburb, low-to-mid rise
- Master developer
- Dubai South (Dubai Aviation City Corporation)
- Since
- 2006
- Freehold
- Yes, freehold for foreign buyers
- Homes
- Apartments, Townhouses, Villas
- Metro
- Expo 2020
- Getting around
- Expo 2020 (Route 2020, Red Line) terminus sits on the northern edge, about 8 km in a straight line from the Residential District; E311 to the north, E611 to the south; RTA awarded a design contract in Sept 2026 for a 3 km, two-station metro extension to Al Maktoum Airport
- Beach
- Not within walking distance
- Schools
- GEMS Founders School – Dubai South
Inside Dubai South
The communities that make it up
Dubai South is a large master plan around Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC). People mostly live in a handful of pockets: here they are, in our own words.
Residential District
apartments, villas, townhouses · mixed
Main housing zone of Dubai South, north-east of the airport. Ready mid-rise blocks and townhouses sit beside new lagoon villa phases; Propsearch reports over 25,000 residents by 2022.
The Pulse
apartments, townhouses, villas · ready
Early Residential District cluster: 236 townhouses, Boulevard and Residence apartment blocks, then Beachfront villas whose first phase of 251 homes completed in January 2025.
MAG 5 Boulevard
apartments · ready
Thirteen low-rise buildings with 1,118 flats, completed in October 2019; Bayut lists it among the top rental areas of Dubai South.
Celestia
apartments · ready
Eight-storey furnished block of 967 studios, 1-beds and 2-beds in the centre of the Residential District, finished in August 2019.
South Bay
villas, townhouses · mixed
Six-phase villa and townhouse community around a crystal lagoon with beaches, launched in August 2022; phase deliveries were listed from September 2025 to Q3 2026.
Azizi Venice
apartments, villas · off-plan
Large lagoon-themed project launched in October 2023, mostly studios to 2-bed flats plus 3-bed villas; Property Finder lists delivery as Q4 2026, with phases varying by building.
Hayat
townhouses, villas, apartments · off-plan
Launched July 2025 with about 2,500 homes from 1 to 5 bedrooms, mainly townhouses and villas; the first two phases sold over AED 1.2 billion on launch day.
Waada by Bahria Town
apartments, villas, townhouses · off-plan
Gated master community near the airport by the Bahria Town group, listed as under development; mixed apartments, townhouses and villas.
Emaar South
apartments, villas, townhouses · mixed
Golf district of about 7 sq km announced in 2016, planned for more than 15,000 homes. Early clusters (Parkside, Greenview, Golf Links, Urbana) are lived in; new golf-view phases hand over to 2030.
Expo City Dubai – Expo Central
apartments, townhouses · mixed
Apartment towers around Al Wasl Plaza: Mangrove Residences (450 homes), Sky Residences (about 420) and Sidr Residences, handing over in stages from 2026 to 2028.
Expo City Dubai – Expo Valley
villas, townhouses, apartments · mixed
Eastern low-rise enclave with 532 villas and townhouses (sold out, handovers scheduled through 2026) and the later Expo Valley Views homes, set around a wadi and nature area.
Expo City Dubai – Expo Village
apartments · ready
Former Expo 2020 staff housing turned rental apartments: 2,273 flats in 15 towers next to the metro station, with about 3,500 residents reported in 2023.
What is being built
Airport, metro and rail: the plans
Most of Dubai South’s long-term case rests on infrastructure announced by the government. Dates are those announced; each item links to its source.
2024-04-28
Al Maktoum International Airport (DWC) - expansion approval
On 28 April 2024 the Ruler of Dubai approved the design of a new passenger terminal and the start of works, budget AED 128 billion. Stated end-state: 260 million passengers and 12 million tonnes of cargo a year, five parallel runways, 400 aircraft contact stands, about 70 sq km, five times the size of DXB. All DXB operations are to move to DWC 'in the coming years'. The release also expects more than one million people to live and work in Dubai South (the airport city). source
2026-06-17
Al Maktoum International Airport - timeline update
In June 2026 Dubai confirmed phase 1 is on track to open in 2032 with capacity of about 150 million passengers a year. About AED 13 billion of contracts were under execution, more than AED 55 billion of further contracts were due to be awarded, over 10 million work hours had been logged in 15 months, and the site workforce (about 9,000) is expected to peak near 120,000. source
Al Maktoum International Airport - today
Cargo flights started 27 June 2010 and passenger flights 26 October 2013. Codes DWC / OMDW. It sits about 37 km south-west of Dubai city, on the Jebel Ali side. source
2026-08-21
Airport people-mover
A 50 km underground driverless system inside the future airport (9 stations at first, 14 at full build-out) was awarded to Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Larsen & Toubro, due for completion in December 2031. source
2021-06-01
Dubai Metro Route 2020 (Red Line branch)
Route 2020 runs from the Red Line junction (Jabal Ali, now named National Paints) via The Gardens, Discovery Gardens, Al Furjan, Jumeirah Golf Estates and Dubai Investment Park to Expo 2020. The 15 km branch opened in 2021, and the Expo 2020 terminus opened on 1 June 2021 beside Expo City's main gate. Wikipedia notes a planned rename to Expo City Dubai. source
2026-09-14
Metro extension to DWC
RTA tendered design work in January 2026 for a roughly 3 km, two-station extension from Expo 2020 station to the airport's West Terminal; Aecom won the design contract (reported 14 Sep 2026). No opening date announced. source
2026-08-18
Airport Express Line (DXB to DWC)
Proposed 55 km line with five stations from the DXB Red Line station via Al Jaddaf, Al Khail Road and JVC's Gold Line station to DWC in Dubai South, with branches to Business Bay and Al Fardan Exchange station. At study/design stage; RTA has given no timeframe. source
2026-08-31
Etihad Rail passenger station (Al Yalayis)
Dubai's first Etihad Rail passenger station, Al Yalayis, opens 30 September 2026 on E311 next to Jumeirah Golf Estates metro station (footbridge link); around 57 minutes to Abu Dhabi and roughly 30 minutes by road from Al Maktoum airport. source
2026-08-21
Etihad Rail high-speed station at DWC
The Etihad Rail high-speed service, due to launch in 2030, is planned to have a station next to Al Maktoum International Airport. source
2026-09
Roads
Dubai South's northern edge meets Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and its southern edge Emirates Road (E611); both connect to Sheikh Zayed Road (E11). From Emaar South, Bayut gives about 11 minutes to E611 and 16 minutes to E11 by car. source
2026-09-29
Distances (straight line, computed)
Residential District to Dubai Marina about 17 km, to Burj Khalifa about 29 km, to Jebel Ali Port about 18 km, to the DWC terminal about 9 km. Emaar South to Dubai Marina about 25 km and to Burj Khalifa about 40 km. Bayut puts Expo City under 40 minutes' drive from both Dubai Marina and Downtown. source
2026-09
Business districts and free zone
Dubai South is organised into districts: Residential, Golf (Emaar South), Aviation, Logistics, Commercial, Humanitarian and Exhibition, plus the airport. The Mohammed Bin Rashid Aerospace Hub sits beside the airport; Bayut notes the area began as an economic free zone, and Propsearch notes 100% foreign ownership in the aviation-hub bonded free zone. source
2024-09
Schools
GEMS Founders School - Dubai South opened in September 2024 on Expo Road, the first school in the area: British curriculum, 250,000 sq ft campus, expanding towards FS1-Year 13, rated Good in its first BSO inspection (May 2025). Other options are in DIP (Dove Green Private School, Greenfield International School). source
2026-09
Healthcare
Few facilities inside Emaar South so far; Bayut lists Al Maktoum Airport Clinic, NMC Royal Hospital DIP and Mediclinic Meadows as the closest. No hospital inside Dubai South was confirmed. source
2026-09-17
Emaar South Golf Club
18-hole championship course with driving range, par-3 course and clubhouse, expected to open in Q4 2026. source
Projects
Residential projects in Dubai South
| Project | Area | Homes | Status | Handover |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| The Pulse (Townhouses, Boulevard, Residence, Beachfront)Dubai South Properties | Residential District | townhouses, apartments, villas | ready (Beachfront phase 1 completed Jan 2025) | completed |
| MAG 5 BoulevardMAG Lifestyle Development | Residential District | apartments (1,118 in 13 buildings) | ready | October 2019 |
| CelestiaDAMAC Properties | Residential District | furnished studios, 1-bed and 2-bed apartments (967 units) | ready | August 2019 |
| South Bay (phases 1-6)Dubai South Properties | Residential District | villas, townhouses, lagoon mansions | handing over by phase | Phase 1 September 2025; later phases June 2026 to Q3 2026 (Property Finder listings) |
| Azizi VeniceAzizi Developments | Residential District | studios to 2-bed apartments, 3-bed villas | off-plan / under construction | Q4 2026 (Property Finder); building-by-building phasing |
| HayatDubai South Properties | Dubai South | townhouses, villas, mansions, apartments, hotel apartments (about 2,500 units) | off-plan | — |
| Golf ValeEmaar Properties | Emaar South | 1-3 bed apartments, 3-bed townhouses | off-plan | Q1 2030 (31 Mar 2030) |
| Golf TrailsEmaar Properties | Emaar South | 1-3 bed apartments, 3-bed townhouses | off-plan (launched 11 Sep 2026) | 1 Oct 2030 |
| Mangrove ResidencesExpo City Dubai | Expo City Dubai (Expo Central) | 1-4 bed apartments, 3-bed townhouses (450 homes) | completion scheduled Q1 2026; sold out (as reported Aug 2024) | Q1 2026 |
| Sky ResidencesExpo City Dubai | Expo City Dubai (Expo Central) | 1-3 bed apartments (419-420 units) | under construction | Q4 2026 (Bayut, Sept 2026; The National gave Q3 2026 in Aug 2024) |
| Sidr ResidencesExpo City Dubai | Expo City Dubai (Expo Central) | 1-4 bed apartments | off-plan | Q1 2028 (Property Finder); Bayut guide says Q4 2027 |
| Al Waha ResidencesExpo City Dubai | Expo City Dubai | 1-2 bed apartments, duplex lofts | off-plan (launched May 2025) | June 2027 |
Names and dates as published by developers and property portals (September 2026); not an offer. Ask for prices & availability
Rent or buy
Dubai South in numbers
Renting
Suits airport, logistics and Jebel Ali workers who want more space per dirham; the trade-off is a car-dependent life far from the beach and older Dubai.
| Studio | AED 43,000 |
|---|---|
| 1 bedroom | AED 61,000 |
| 2 bedrooms | AED 83,000 |
| 3-bed villa | AED 153,000 |
Buying
Deep stock of ready studios and 1-beds plus a large off-plan villa pipeline (South Bay, Hayat, Azizi Venice); prices and yields are tied to how fast the airport expansion delivers.
| Apartments, per sq ft | AED 1,190 |
|---|---|
| Villas, per sq ft | AED 1,368 |
| 1-bed apartment | AED 827,000 |
| 3-bed villa | AED 2,730,000 |
How these figures are measured
- Rents: Bayut, 'Top areas to rent properties in Dubai South' (MyBayut, updated 18 Sep 2026), average annual rents for the Residential District as published by Bayut (listing-based, i.e. asking) source
- Prices: Bayut Dubai Sales Market Report H1 2026 (updated 22 Sep 2026), 'Dubai South' rows of the affordable apartments and affordable villas tables, average asking prices source
- Yield: Bayut Dubai Sales Market Report H1 2026, projected ROI for Dubai South source
Asking figures reflect advertised listings, not signed contracts; transaction figures are Dubai Land Department records. Freehold: Yes, freehold for foreign buyers.
Out and about
Things to do in Dubai South
Visitors mostly pass through for flights at Al Maktoum International (DWC) or the Dubai Airshow; Expo City Dubai is next door.
- Expo City Dubaiattractions
Former Expo 2020 site next door with Al Wasl Plaza, pavilions and parks
- South Bay lagoonwaterfront
Crystal lagoon with beaches and a 3 km promenade inside the new South Bay villa community
- Azizi Venice lagoonwaterfront
Large artificial lagoon at the heart of the Azizi Venice project, still being built
- Emaar South Golf Clubgolf
18-hole course with driving range and par-3 course, due to open Q4 2026
- Dubai Airshowevent
Biennial aerospace show held at the airport site; last edition 17-21 Nov 2025
Visiting, or just moved in? We can arrange a short stay or a tour around Dubai South.
Addresses people ask about
Notable buildings & projects
- The Pulse
- MAG 5 Boulevard
- Celestia
- South Bay
- Azizi Venice
Names only, for orientation: not an offer. Ask us for what is available in each.
Nearby
Neighbouring districts
Expo City Dubai
walkable post-Expo mixed-use district
Emaar South
golf-course family suburb
Dubai Investment Park
mixed industrial-residential township
Jebel Ali
port district with beach resorts
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FAQ
Dubai South: common questions
It suits people who want newer, larger homes at lower prices and who work near the airport, Jebel Ali or Expo City. Bayut places it in the affordable segment, with 1-bed flats averaging about AED 61,000 a year in the Residential District. The downsides are construction, few amenities so far and heavy reliance on a car.
Only at the northern edge: the Expo 2020 station, last stop of the Red Line's Route 2020 branch, opened in June 2021 at Expo City. The Residential District is about 8 km away in a straight line. A 3 km, two-station extension to Al Maktoum Airport is at design stage, with no opening date yet.
Homes are concentrated in the Residential District (The Pulse, MAG 5 Boulevard, Celestia, South Bay, Azizi Venice) and in Emaar South, the golf district. Hayat and Waada are newer off-plan communities. The rest is business land: aviation, logistics, commercial and humanitarian districts around the airport. Expo City sits on the northern edge.
Yes. Foreign buyers can own homes outright in Dubai South's residential areas, including Emaar South, and Expo City is also freehold. As anywhere in Dubai, check the specific project's title and the developer's escrow registration before paying.
From the Residential District it is roughly 17 km to Dubai Marina and 29 km to Burj Khalifa in a straight line; road distances are longer. Bayut estimates under 40 minutes' drive from Expo City to either area, via E311, E611 or Sheikh Zayed Road. Emaar South is further south, about 25 km from the Marina.
A golf-course community of about 7 sq km inside Dubai South, announced by Emaar in 2016 as a joint venture with Dubai South. It mixes apartments, townhouses and villas around an 18-hole course due to open in Q4 2026. Bayut lists 1-bed flats there at about AED 62,000 a year.
Bayut's September 2026 figures for the Residential District average about AED 43,000 for a studio, AED 61,000 for a 1-bed and AED 83,000 for a 2-bed per year. A 3-bed villa there averages about AED 153,000, and about AED 149,000 in Emaar South. These are listing-based averages.
Dubai approved an AED 128 billion passenger terminal in April 2024. In June 2026 officials said phase 1 is on track to open in 2032 with capacity for about 150 million passengers a year. The full plan targets 260 million passengers, five runways and 400 contact stands, and DXB's operations will eventually move there.
Average asking rents per year in Dubai South: studio AED 43,000, one-bedroom AED 61,000, two-bedroom AED 83,000, three-bedroom villa AED 153,000 (Bayut, September 2026). Actual rents depend on the building, view, floor and furnishing.
This Dubai South guide is written independently by District Dubai from public sources. It is not the official website of, and is not affiliated with, endorsed by or connected to Dubai South (Dubai World Central Corporation), Dubai South Properties, Emaar or Expo City Dubai. No logo, image or text of theirs is used.